JP2004350194A - Radio communication apparatus and method of connecting radio communication channel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To establish the connection of a radio communication channel between the radio communication apparatuses rapidly and easily. <P>SOLUTION: The radio communication apparatus is characterised by including a connector 9 connected to the connector 16 of a Bluetooth module 12 of a slave 11 via a cable 18, and a controller 6 for deciding that the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11 connected to the connector is the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11 of a thirdparty for connecting a radio communication channel to continue the process of connecting the radio communication channel to the Bluetooth module of the slave 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wireless communication device and a wireless communication line connection method for connecting a wireless communication line with another wireless communication device for performing wireless communication.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a wireless communication system such as a Bluetooth (Bluetooth) system has been used as a system for transmitting and receiving information between a plurality of information communication devices such as a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a printer, a keyboard, a mouse, a digital camera, and a mobile phone. Is used.
[0003]
The information communication device includes a wireless communication device such as a Bluetooth module compliant with the Bluetooth system, for example. The information communication device includes another wireless communication device using the same wireless communication system as the wireless communication device. Can transmit and receive information to and from information communication devices.
[0004]
Here, a conventional method of connecting a wireless communication line between wireless communication devices included in each information communication device will be described using a wireless communication method based on the Bluetooth method.
[0005]
First, when a search signal for searching for a wireless communication device provided in another information communication device (slave) of a communication partner is input to a wireless communication device provided in the information communication device (master), Performs an inquiry process (Inquiry) for searching for another communicable wireless communication device within a wirelessly communicable area.
[0006]
Subsequently, upon receiving a response signal from the slave wireless communication device as a result of the inquiry processing, the master wireless communication device stores data for specifying the slave wireless communication device that has output the response signal. And displaying a list of the wireless communication devices of the slaves based on the data.
[0007]
When one or a plurality of slave wireless communication devices to be connected to the line are selected from the list, the master wireless communication device performs a call process (Page), and each wireless communication device between the master and the slave. Synchronize between Next, the master wireless communication device requests a connection to the slave wireless communication device, performs an authentication process, and then performs an encryption process used for wireless communication between the wireless communication devices. (Encryption). As a result, a wireless communication line connection has been established between the master and the slave wireless communication devices (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-359873
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the above-described wireless communication line connection method by the wireless communication device, when establishing a line connection with another wireless communication device, first, the master wireless communication device must perform an inquiry process of the other wireless communication device. In addition, a certain time is required for this inquiry processing. For this reason, in the wireless communication device, it takes time from the start of the line connection to the actual establishment of the line connection.
[0010]
In addition, each time a user using the wireless communication device establishes a line connection between the wireless communication devices, a wireless communication of a slave performing a line connection from the list displayed on the display unit of the master is performed. There has been a problem that the input operation for selecting the device has to be performed, which is troublesome.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of these points, and provides a wireless communication device and a wireless communication line connection method capable of quickly and easily establishing a wireless communication line connection between wireless communication devices. Aim.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication device according to the present invention is a wireless communication device that connects a wireless communication line with another wireless communication device to perform wireless communication, and includes a pair of the other wireless communication devices. A connection unit connected in one correspondence state, and the other wireless communication device connected to the connection unit is determined to be the other wireless communication device that connects a wireless communication line, and the other wireless communication device is connected to the other wireless communication device. And a control unit for continuing the connection processing.
[0013]
Further, another wireless communication device according to the present invention is characterized in that the connection unit is connected to the other wireless communication device via wireless.
[0014]
Further, another wireless communication device according to the present invention is characterized in that the connection unit is connected to the other wireless communication device by a wire.
[0015]
In another wireless communication device according to the present invention, the connection unit is indirectly connected to the other wireless communication device by inserting a storage unit in which information of the other wireless communication device is stored. It is characterized by that.
[0016]
Further, another wireless communication device according to the present invention is characterized in that the connecting portion is directly connected to the other wireless communication device by inserting a connecting portion formed in the other wireless communication device. And
[0017]
Further, a wireless communication line connection method according to the present invention is a wireless communication line connection method for performing a process of connecting a wireless communication line with another wireless communication device to perform wireless communication, wherein the other wireless communication device Connected in a one-to-one correspondence state, determined that the connected other wireless communication device is the other wireless communication device that connects a wireless communication line, and that the other wireless communication device is connected to the other wireless communication device. The processing is continued.
[0018]
According to the wireless communication device and the complete communication line connection method according to the present invention, the other wireless communication device is recognized in a one-to-one correspondence state, thereby enabling the other wireless communication device to connect to the wireless communication line. It can be determined that the device is a wireless communication device. Therefore, the conventional wireless communication device searches for another wireless communication device capable of wireless communication, displays a list, and a user of the wireless communication device selects another wireless communication device to be connected to the line from the list. , The wireless communication line connection of each wireless communication device can be established.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, in the present embodiment, a description will be given using a Bluetooth module conforming to the Bluetooth system as the wireless communication device.
[0020]
FIG. 1 shows an information communication device (master) such as a portable personal computer provided with a Bluetooth module according to the present embodiment, and an information communication device such as a printer, a mouse or a digital camera provided with a Bluetooth module capable of wirelessly communicating with the Bluetooth module. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a device (slave).
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, the master 1 has an operation unit 2 for inputting the operation of each unit of the master 1, and a display unit 3 including a CRT, an LCD, and the like.
[0022]
The Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 includes a control unit 6 that controls the operation of each unit of the Bluetooth module 5 according to a program stored in a memory (not shown), and a processing of a wireless communication signal that is connected to a transmission / reception antenna 7 and conforms to the Bluetooth system. And a wireless communication signal processing unit 8 for performing the following.
[0023]
Further, the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 has a connection unit 9 including a connector or the like for connecting an external device such as the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11. The connection unit 9 includes a card insertion slot to which an external device can be indirectly connected by inserting a card, an infrared receiving unit to which an external device can be wirelessly connected by receiving infrared light, and the like. There may be.
[0024]
The Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11 includes a control unit 13 that controls the operation of each unit of the Bluetooth module 12, and a wireless communication signal processing unit 15 that is connected to a transmission / reception antenna 14 and processes a wireless communication signal compliant with the Bluetooth system. Have.
[0025]
Further, the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11 is connected to the connection section 9 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 to connect the slave 11 directly to the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 using a cable 18 or the like. It has a connection portion 16 composed of a connector or the like. Note that the connection unit 16 may include an infrared transmission unit or the like that connects the slave 11 to the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 wirelessly by transmitting infrared light. Further, the connection unit 16 may be constituted by a card or the like as a storage unit that stores data for making the Bluetooth module 12 independent of the main body of the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11 and indirectly connecting the Bluetooth module 12. Further, the connection unit 16 may be configured by a plug or the like that can be directly connected to the connection unit 9 including the connector of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 or the like.
[0026]
Next, a wireless communication line connection method using the Bluetooth modules 5 and 12 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0027]
First, the connection section 9 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 and the connection section 16 of the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11 for connecting the wireless communication line are connected via a cable 18 (ST1), and the Bluetooth module of the master 1 is connected. Then, the controller 6 of step 5 recognizes the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11.
[0028]
For example, when a card storing the data of the slave 11 described above is used as the connection section 16 of the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11, the card is inserted into a card insertion slot as the connection section 9 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1. To connect the respective Bluetooth modules 5 and 12 indirectly. When the above-mentioned infrared transmitting unit is used as the connecting unit 16 of the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11, the infrared transmitting unit transmits infrared light to the infrared receiving unit as the connecting unit 9 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1. Accordingly, the Bluetooth modules 5 and 12 are connected wirelessly. Further, when the above-described plug is used as the connection part 16 of the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11, the plug is inserted into the connector as the connection part 9 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1, and each of the Bluetooth modules 5, 12 is connected. Are connected directly. Thereby, the control unit 6 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 can recognize the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11.
[0029]
Subsequently, a search signal for searching for the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11 is input to the control unit 6 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 using the operation unit 2 (ST2).
[0030]
At this time, when the control unit 6 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 determines that the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11 is connected to the connection unit 9 (Yes in ST3), the control unit 6 of the connected slave 11 It determines that the Bluetooth module 12 is a wireless communication device for connecting a wireless communication line, and transmits a synchronization signal from the wireless communication signal processing unit 8 to the wireless communication signal processing unit 15 of the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11. Then, the control unit 13 of the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11 transmits a response signal responding to the synchronization signal in the wireless communication signal processing unit 15 to the wireless communication signal processing unit 8 of the master 1. Thus, the calling process is performed (ST4), and the master 1 and the slave 11 are synchronized.
[0031]
Subsequently, when the control unit 6 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 transmits a connection request signal and an authentication signal from the wireless communication signal processing unit 8, the control unit 13 of the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11 The signal processing unit 15 transmits a response signal in response to the connection request signal and the authentication signal. Thereby, an authentication process is performed (ST5).
[0032]
Further, when the control unit 6 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 transmits the encryption signal from the wireless communication signal processing unit 8, the control unit 13 of the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11 transmits the encryption signal from the wireless communication signal processing unit 15. A response signal in response to the encryption signal is transmitted to perform an encryption process (ST6).
[0033]
Thereby, a connection of the wireless communication line between the Bluetooth modules 5 and 12 of the master 1 and the slave 11 is established (ST7).
[0034]
Thereafter, the connection section 16 of the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11 is detached from the connection section 16 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1, and wireless communication is performed between the Bluetooth modules 5 and 12 of the master 1 and the slave 11. be able to. The connection of the connection units 5 and 12 is performed after the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 determines that the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11 connected to the master 1 is a wireless communication device for connecting a wireless communication line. It may be detachable.
[0035]
Subsequently, when connecting a wireless communication line with a Bluetooth module of another slave (not shown) (Yes in ST8), a connection section of the Bluetooth module of the other slave and a connection section 9 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 are connected. (ST1), a search signal is input to the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 (ST2), and a wireless communication line is connected. When the wireless communication line with the Bluetooth module of another slave is not connected (No in ST8), the connection of the wireless communication line is terminated.
[0036]
On the other hand, when the control unit 6 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 determines that the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11 is not connected to the connection unit 9 (No in ST3), the control unit of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 6 transmits a search signal from the wireless communication signal processing unit 8 to an area where the Bluetooth module 5 can perform wireless communication, similarly to the related art (ST9).
[0037]
Next, when the control unit 6 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 receives a response signal from the wireless communication signal processing unit 15 of the slave in response to the search signal in the wireless communication signal processing unit 8 (ST10). Yes), in the memory of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1, data for specifying the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11 that has transmitted the response signal is stored. Subsequently, the control unit 6 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 displays a list of the Bluetooth modules 12 of the slave 11 on the display unit 3 based on the data (ST11).
[0038]
When the user of the master 1 selects a slave 11 to be connected to the line from the list (ST12), the control unit 6 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 connects the slave 11 to a wireless communication line. The wireless communication device is determined to be a wireless communication device, and a call process (ST4), an authentication process (ST5), and an encryption process (ST6) are performed to perform wireless communication between the Bluetooth modules 5 and 12 of the master 1 and the slave 11. A line connection is established (ST7).
[0039]
Further, when the control unit 6 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 does not receive a response signal from the wireless communication signal processing unit 15 of the slave 11 in response to the search signal within a predetermined time (No in ST9) The control unit 6 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 displays on the display unit 3 that there is no slave 11 responding (ST13), and terminates the connection of the wireless communication line.
[0040]
According to the present embodiment, by connecting the connection section 16 of the slave 11 to the connection section 9 of the master 1, the control section 6 of the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 connects the wireless communication line to the slave 11. Bluetooth module 12 can be determined. Thus, the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 searches for the slaves 11 and displays a list, and the user of the master 1 selects the slave 11 to be connected to the line from the list, thereby omitting each process. A wireless communication line connection between the Bluetooth modules 5 and 12 of the master 1 and the slave 11 can be established.
[0041]
Therefore, each process of search, list display, and selection can be omitted, so that the time required for the wireless communication line connection between the Bluetooth modules 5 and 12 between the master 1 and the slave 11 can be reduced, and the line can be quickly established. A connection can be established. Further, for the user using the Bluetooth modules 5 and 12, the trouble of selecting the Bluetooth module 12 for connecting the wireless communication line from the Bluetooth modules 12 of the many slaves 11 can be omitted, and each of the Bluetooth modules can be easily performed. A wireless communication line between the modules 5 and 12 can be connected.
[0042]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be variously modified as needed.
[0043]
For example, in the present embodiment, a description has been given using a Bluetooth module conforming to the Bluetooth system as the wireless communication apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be used for a wireless communication apparatus conforming to another wireless communication system.
[0044]
Also, after connecting the connection units 9 and 16, a search signal for the Bluetooth module 12 of the slave 11 capable of wireless communication is input to the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. After inputting the search signal, the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 may be connected to the connection units 9 and 16 to determine the slave 11 to be connected to the wireless communication line.
[0045]
Further, in the present embodiment, when the connection units 9 and 16 of the master 1 and the slave 11 are not connected, the Bluetooth module 5 of the master 1 searches for a slave 11 capable of wireless communication and establishes a wireless communication line. Although the slave 11 to be connected is determined, the present invention is not limited to this, and the slave 11 to be connected to the line can be determined only when each of the connection units 9 and 16 is connected. Good.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the wireless communication device and the wireless communication line connection method according to the present invention, other wireless communication devices capable of wireless communication are searched for, a list is displayed, and a wireless communication line is connected. Since each process of selecting the wireless communication device can be omitted, the time required for wireless communication line connection between the wireless communication devices can be reduced, and the line connection can be quickly established. In addition, for a user who uses a wireless communication device, the trouble of selecting another wireless communication device to connect a wireless communication line from among a large number of other wireless communication devices can be omitted, and each of the above wireless communication devices can be easily performed. A wireless communication line between wireless communication devices can be connected.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information communication device including a wireless communication device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing of a wireless communication line connection method performed by the wireless communication device of FIG.
1 Master 5 Bluetooth module 6 Control unit 8 Wireless communication signal processing unit 9 Connection unit 11 Slave 12 Bluetooth module 13 Control unit 15 Wireless communication signal processing unit 16 Connection unit

Claims (6)

A wireless communication device that connects a wireless communication line with another wireless communication device to perform wireless communication,
A connection unit that connects the other wireless communication devices in a one-to-one correspondence state,
A control unit that determines that the other wireless communication device connected to the connection unit is the other wireless communication device to which a wireless communication line is connected, and continues the connection processing with respect to the other wireless communication device. A wireless communication device comprising: The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit is connected to the another wireless communication device via wireless communication. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit is connected to the another wireless communication device by a wire. The wireless device according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit is indirectly connected to the another wireless communication device by inserting a storage unit in which information of the other wireless communication device is stored. Communication device. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit is directly connected to the other wireless communication device by inserting a connection unit formed in the another wireless communication device. A wireless communication line connection method for performing a process of connecting a wireless communication line with another wireless communication device to perform wireless communication,
Connect the other wireless communication devices in a one-to-one correspondence state,
Determining that the other connected wireless communication device is the other wireless communication device to which a wireless communication line is connected, and continuing the connection processing to the other wireless communication device; Communication line connection method.

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